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Winona Ryder Looks Ageless on V Mag Cover, Says She Was Once Fired Because of Heathers

Winona Ryder in V Magazine
Winona Ryder poses for Mario Testino in V Magazine's Winter issue

Wino(na) forever! Nearly three decades after making her debut opposite the late Corey Haim in the 1986 movie Lucas, Winona Ryder is as captivating as ever, both onscreen and off. Snapped by famed photographer Mario Testino for the cover of V Magazine‘s Winter 2013/14 issue, the 42-year-old actress looks ageless and edgy in a black, biker-inspired ensemble styled by Carlyne Cerf de Dudzeele.

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Though the Heathers star has worked relatively steadily over the last 27 years — with credits in Black Swan and Frankenweenie, among other films — the roles she’s taken recently have been lower-profile parts than those she was known for in the 1980s and ’90s. Her next movie is already getting some buzz, though; in November, she’ll be seen alongside Jason Statham, James Franco, and Kate Bosworth in the action-thriller Homefront.

winona ryder

“There’s a slightly camp, arm-candy element to her that appealed to me,” Ryder tells V Magazine of her character, who sells crystal meth and rides motorcycles. “She’s such a complete chick. She’s what you think of when you hear the words ‘biker chick.'”

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In real life, the two-time Oscar nominee is far less diabolical. But she can be very convincing onscreen — so convincing, in fact, that she was once dropped from a film because the director was so rattled by her performance in Heathers.

“I was fired once from a movie because I did Heathers! I was cast in a movie and the director saw an advance screening and was offended by it and fired me,” she reveals to the mag. “It wasn’t until years later that [the film] became more appreciated.”

Related: PHOTOS: Stars who were fired

winona ryder cover

Ryder also shares a story with V about dropping out of Kenilworth Junior High School after being gay-bashed by a group of bullies who mistook her for a boy. “The lore! That did happen,” she confirms. “I was obsessed with Bugsy Malone and had cut my hair short. I remember the halls were empty and these kids started shouting ‘f-ggot.'”

Related: PHOTOS: Stars who were bullied

After that incident, the star was homeschooled, which eventually paved the way for her acting career. “It’s almost weird fate that it happened that way,” she muses.

For more photos and stories from Ryder’s interview — including her thoughts on young stars like Jennifer Lawrence and Kristen Stewart — pick up the new issue of V Magazine, on stands Nov. 14.

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